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For homeowners in the Central Texas area, having hard water in your home is almost a certainty without intervention. Hard water can cause all kinds of havoc in a home, including damaging appliances, leaving stains on dishes and clothing, and building up mineral deposits in faucets and shower heads. Below are a few suggested ways to limit or repair the issues caused by hard water.

Vinegar

The first solution is to use vinegar. This is because vinegar can help to loosen some of the mineral deposits. This means that it can get out of the stains on the bath mats, chrome faucets, shower heads, and coffee pots. You can also use the vinegar inside of your dishwasher and washing machine by just running a cycle with nothing in it. It might help to remove stains and disinfect if you spray the surface of the shower doors, sinks, and toilets with the vinegar. All you will have to do is to wipe down these surfaces and if the stain is very bad, you might have to scrub it a little bit.

Baking Soda

The second solution is to use baking soda. This is one of the best things that you can use when you have a lot of hard water buildup that is just not going away. This is because it is going to be a little more abrasive to all of those stains. All you have to do is to sprinkle the baking soda on the stain so that it can sit for a few minutes and then scrub it with a scrub brush in order to remove the stain. This is going to work best if you have already used vinegar on the stain. After applying the baking soda, you’ll need to add water. Water will cause the baking soda to become a paste that you can quickly wipe up, leaving a cleaner space.

Cleaners with Chemicals

There are a lot of chemical cleaners that you can use that will help you to remove the mineral stains and hard water buildup in homes. You will need to need to pick a cleaner that has acids in it like phophoric, hydrochloric, or hydroxyacetic acids. You are going to need to be very cautious about the more abrasive cleaners and brushes that can scratch the surface of the fixtures. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer to make sure that you are using the cleaners properly. For some cleaners, protective gloves should also be worn.

Colored Stains from Hardwater

If you have a red or reddish brown stain from iron, then you might consider using cream of tartar and water. This is going to create a paste that you can let dry and rinse off, leaving a cleaner surface. If you have a brown or black stain from manganese in your water, then you can make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Lastly, if you noticed a green or blue stain from copper or water that has a lot of acid in it, you can use a mixture of soap suds and ammonia to lighten it. Just let the mixture dry and then rinse it off.

Salt-Free Water Conditioner

For a more permanent solution, consider having a water softener installed in your home. A water softener greatly lessens the impact of hard water on your home and appliances, and many of these devices are made to last for years. Another option to consider is a water conditioner, which has a slightly different process than a water softener, but which still solves your hard water issues. Many homeowners turn to salt-free water conditioners because they require very little maintenance and are built to last you and your family for years.

If you would like more information about dealing with hard water, or about installing a salt-free water conditioner, contact Clear Water of San Marcos, located in San Marcos, TX.

What Is A Water Softener? What Problems Can Hard Water Cause?

A water softener is a device that softens hard water. What is hard water you may be wondering? It is water that contains hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These hard minerals cause scale to buildup over time in pipes, on faucets, tubs, shower stalls and inside appliances that use water such as washing machines. The mineral scales damages piping, restricts water flow and reduces the lifespan of appliances such as water heaters and dishwashers.

How Does A Water Softener Prevent Buildup Of Scale?

In a water softener system, incoming hard water comes into contact with a mineral mixture called a resin. This resin attracts hardness minerals and eliminates them from water that will be piped to your appliances. Eventually, the resin mineral mixture will become saturated with hardness minerals. At this point the resin mixture will have to be regenerated.

What Is Regeneration In A Water Softener System?

Regeneration refers to the flushing out of hardness materials from the resin mineral mixture in the water softener system. This is accomplished by flushing the resin mixture with a salt brine solution. The salt bags you buy every couple of months are used to create the salt brine that flushes the resin free of hardness minerals.

How Often Should A Water Softener Regenerate?

The water softener should regenerate when the resin mixture is saturated and can no longer remove hardness minerals from the water. There are two kinds of water regeneration systems found in water softener appliances. The first kind automatically begins a regeneration cycle when it senses that the resin is saturated. This is called a demand regeneration system. The second type of water generation system regenerates at a specified period of time. This is typically once a week or every two weeks, depending on the programming. Demand regeneration systems are considered to be more efficient than time programmed regeneration systems. This is because in a demand system, regeneration only takes place when it is needed. This is in contrast to the time triggered system, where regeneration takes place whether it is needed or not.

The Alternative To A Water Softener That Can Save You Money

Clearwater of San Marcos offers a revolutionary new way of preventing scale buildup associated with hard water. This is through the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner device. With this salt-free water softener, you will never have to buy any more bags of salt. This alone should save you hundreds of dollars per year in maintenance costs associated with a water softener system.

The EasyWater No-Salt conditioner device works in the following way. Instead of a resin mixture attracting hardness minerals in your water and then being flushed with a salt brine solution constantly, this device uses electronic frequencies to alter the state of hardness minerals found in your water. The frequencies change the hardness minerals, such as calcium and magnesium’s composition, so that they don’t stick to the plumbing anymore. Thus, the problems of scale are eliminated without the need for a water softener system. You will also save money on your water and sewage bill since the regeneration cycle is eliminated with the salt-free water softener device.

We know running a business can be difficult, and it can be even more stressful to want to provide the best for your employees. Clean and good water should be a priority for any business owner. Finding the right solution is daunting, but that’s what we’re here for! Today we’ll be discussing several options depending on your circumstances.

No-Salt Conditioner®

Scale build-up occurs in water handling equipment when there’s hard water present. This includes water fountains, sink faucets and much more, leading to expensive repairs and replacements, exorbitant energy costs, and blocked water flow. Now you can keep your water handling equipment in pristine condition and running smoothly with the EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner. The EasyWater No-Salt Conditioner eliminates hard water build-up without minimal to no maintenance, salt or chemicals.

SmartGuard®

If you’re looking for a commercial reverse osmosis system, look no further! SmartGuard RO’s integrated scale control technology is the only RO system on the market that operates efficiently without the need for a softener or chemical pre-treatment. SmartGuard RO has a plethora of customizable options for your needs, including RO, RO and remineralization, RO and deionization and much more. The thoughtful design allows for simple monitoring and maintenance. It also includes an automatic bypass option preventing you from running out of filtered water.

RevitaLife Pro®

If your company demands high purity or quality drinking water, reverse osmosis is the option for you. RevitaLife Pro delivers filtered and finished water with minerals for whatever you may need, as well as a corrected pH. This ensures you’ll get the water quality you need while keeping your water handling equipment clean and pristine.

Bacteria Shield®

Problems such as pipeline breaks, accidental sewage overflows and other incidents at work can increase the risk of contamination among you and your employees. This sort of microbiological fouling often comes with safety issues. Luckily, our Bacteria Shield offers UV disinfection, ozone disinfection, hydrogen peroxide disinfection and much more!

Iron Shield®

After years of use, iron deposits can begin to build up water-using equipment. If not properly taken care of, it will eventually turn into costly maintenance and early equipment death. Iron and manganese also create discolored water and rust-colored stains on plumbing fixtures, concrete walkways, driveways and much more. Iron Shield will protect your plumbing and keep your business in the best looking condition by oxidizing iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide inside your tank, before they start causing problems.

Acid Shield® – PH Neutralizer

Copper and steel plumbing are easily corroded by acidic water, resulting in damage to plumbing fixtures, piping and valves. Eventually, your water-using equipment such as boilers and dish machines may prematurely fail. With Acid Shield®, a natural calcium compound and low-maintenance process to raise the pH of acidic water. Acid Shield® also protects your plumbing against pinhole leaks and disposes of blue-green staining.

Now that you know a little more about commercial solutions available to you, be sure to call Clear Water of San Marcos today at 512-757-1731, for an inspection to see which works best for you! We’ll work with you to make sure you get the water system you need, at an affordable price!

Once you’ve installed your water softener, you probably think that’s the last of your worries. While by itself, the water softener will completely change the way your water feels, there’s one more thing you want to consider now. Does it matter what type of soap is used after a water softener or conditioner is installed?

Why Hard Water Requires More Soap

The reason hard water requires more soap is because of the minerals within it, making it tougher for detergent and soap to dissolve in water.

Calcium and magnesium are the culprits to be exact. These minerals make water “hard” happen to interfere with the soap’s cleaning properties. Soap is sticks easier to these hard minerals and that’s why soap produces fewer suds and is less effective in hard water.

It is also difficult to rinse soap from clothing dipped in hard water. You’ve probably felt your clothes that come out of laundry and thought they felt stiff. This is because limescale hardened and is stuck on your clothes! When washing your laundry in soft water, you can clean with less soap, and will also keep your clothes from getting stiff from limescale hardening.

What Type of Soap Should I Use with a Water Softener?

Once installed, you’ll want to use the purest of soaps that you can find. Softened water greatly increases the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. Liquid soaps free of dyes or perfumes are usually the best choice for soft water.

Oftentimes, soap manufacturers add water softening agents and fillers to soaps, shampoos and detergents expecting the consumer (you) to be using hard water. Meaning, you’re paying for filler or additive that you don’t need! It’s best to look around for pure soaps once you have a water softener installed. If you can’t find any in your local supermarket, there are a plethora of online sites that sell pure soaps and detergents. Alternatively, you can make your own soap by checking out at DIY site, if you want something homemade.

Remedy “hard water” problems with soft water

When it comes to laundry stain removal, an independent study funded by the Water Quality Research Council showed huge savings on energy costs. The study concluded that laundry detergents usage was reduced by 50% and dishwashing soap usage by 70% when washing with soft water. Additionally, they found that washing machine temperatures could still maintain the same stain removal efficacy when washing on cold instead of hot water with water softener.

You’ll even be using less shampoo to create even greater lather with soft water, and you’ll no longer a need “rinsing agents” for spot-free glasses and dishes!

If you’re unsure whether you have hard water in your home, call Clear Water San Marcos for an at-home inspection. We’ll help show you all available water treatment solutions for your home.

To soften or to condition? Is there even a difference? When you apply conditioner to hair, it certainly comes out softer, but does the same thing apply to water?

At Clearwater, the technology we offer as a solution for hard water is salt-free water conditioners. But we don’t want you to get this confused with water softeners, which use an entirely different process to produce different results. This article hopes to clear up some confusion and explain the difference between these two types of hard water treatment so that you can make an informed decision as to which product is best for you.

Misconception

First, let’s get a few misconceptions out of the way. If you’ve been on the market for water treatment options, then you’ve most likely come across the term “salt-free water softener” at least once. This term can be pretty misleading, as most salt-free water treatment appliances are technically not actual water softeners, but simply conditioners.

While both water softeners and salt-free conditioners can reduce the apparent hardness of water, soft water must have less than 1 grain of hardness per gallon (GPG) in order to actually be considered “soft”. Water softeners produce this result, but salt-free conditioners don’t. Thus, a true “salt-free water softener” doesn’t actually exist. Don’t be mislead by these claims!

What Water Softeners Do

If “soft” water must have less than 1 GPG, then a true water softener must actually remove the minerals such as calcium and magnesium that make water “hard”. This can be achieved through ion exchange with salt, reverse osmosis, deionization, or distillation. All of these processes result in water that’s been stripped of any suspended mineral that might cause apparent hardness.

What Water Conditioners Do

Salt-free conditioners, on the other hand, developed as an alternative to water softeners that use salt. Rather than removing the hard minerals, these appliances instead strip the minerals of their ability to form scale. The effects are very similar, but the water retains its minerals and no salt is involved in the process.

Benefits of Each

While both technologies achieve similar results, they each have their own benefits. Traditional softeners are most effective at improving soap lather laundry color quality, removing dishwasher spots, and making water feel slick in the shower. Salt-free conditioners, on the other hand, are more efficient, lower maintenance, and produce no waste by-products like softeners do. They can both be equally as efficient in eliminating scaling due to hard water.

Which one is right for you? As a consumer, it’s up to you to determine which technology better fits your needs. We’ve given you the facts; the choice is yours. If you live in the San Marcos area and salt-free water conditioners are best for you, give us a call and we can help you find the right hard water solution.